Club History
The Grand Bend Pickleball Club
About Us
In 2021 in the small town of Grand Bend Ontario, a few pickleball players began to play behind the local firehall. It was not long before the number of players grew exponentially. In fact, the popularity of the sport prompted the municipality to re-surface the public courts in the summer of 2022. By 2023, groups were playing on the courts every day of the week, a ladder league and beginner groups were organized along with ‘skills and drills’ sessions. Sadly, after a noise complaint, the municipality decided to permanently close the only public pickleball courts in Grand Bend. In response, the players began to organize themselves: a petition was started to keep the courts open, representatives met with the municipality, a presentation was made at a council meeting and an organizing committee was formed to prepare for the formation of ‘The Grand Bend Pickleball Club.’
On October 23, 2023, the Grand Bend Pickleball Club was formed and the mission was clear:
Our mission is to promote the sport of pickleball for players of all skill levels. This community-based club will encourage participation, learning and fair play in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Now all we needed was a place to play!
Our New Home: TRIDON Pickleball Courts
In order to continue to grow as a club, we needed to find a new home. It was not long before our club connected with Don deJong of TRIDON Properties who owned some old tennis courts just north of town. He was happy to allow the Grand Bend Pickleball Club the use of the courts.
Over a number of days in October, the club members met at the TRIDON Pickleball Courts to cut down overgrown vegetation, haul away debris, power-wash the concrete and paint 7 new courts. Our club was expanding from three courts to seven!
On November 5th with 86 members signed up to Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Ontario our courts were officially opened. We celebrated the Grand Opening of our courts with a ribbon cutting ceremony, cake cutting, and many games of pickleball.
